Drone Regulations in Nigeria: Registration, Licensing and How to Set Up a Drone Manufacturing Company

Drone regulations in Nigeria are among the strictest in Africa. A drone cannot lawfully be imported, registered or flown for business until its owner has security clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the approvals required by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The rules apply to individuals flying for fun, to companies offering drone services and to anyone who wants to build drones in Nigeria.

This guide explains who regulates drones, how drone registration in Nigeria works, the licences commercial operators and pilots need, the rules for flying, and the approvals needed to import drones and to set up a drone manufacturing company. It reflects the position in November 2026. Drone rules are changing quickly, so check the current requirements before you act.

Drone regulations in Nigeria: the laws and regulators

The laws

• The Civil Aviation Act 2022 gives the NCAA power to regulate all aircraft in Nigeria, including unmanned aircraft, and sets the penalties for breaking aviation rules.
• Part 21 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 (Nig.CARs) is the main drone regulation. It covers the certification, registration, operation and surveillance of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), which is the regulatory term for drones.
• NCAA advisory circulars explain how Part 21 is applied in practice, including the documents and steps for each approval.
• The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 applies when drones capture images or other data about identifiable people.
• The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act 2023 applies to the manufacture of military and security equipment, including military drones.

The regulators

Within the NCAA, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Unit guides operators and businesses through the approval process, and it is the best first point of contact for new applicants.

The role of ONSA

Security is the main reason drone regulations in Nigeria are strict. ONSA treats drones as controlled items, whatever their size. It issues an end-user certificate (EUC), which confirms who will use a drone and for what purpose, and it gives security clearance to companies that want to operate drones commercially. Applicants and their directors are screened by the security agencies before a certificate is issued. In 2026, the NCAA reminded operators that an end-user certificate must be obtained from ONSA for each drone before any other regulatory step is taken.

Drone categories under Part 21

Part 21 classifies drones by their weight, from nano drones under 250 grams to large drones over 150 kilograms, and by the risk of the operation. In broad terms:

• Open category: low-risk flights within the pilot's sight, at low altitude and away from people and airports.
• Specific category: higher-risk operations, such as flights near people, at night or beyond visual line of sight, which need an NCAA authorisation based on a risk assessment.
• Certified category: the highest-risk operations, such as carrying people or dangerous goods, where the drone, the operator and the pilot must all be certified, much like a manned aircraft.

A drone built to military specifications cannot be registered for civil use under Part 21.

How to register a drone in Nigeria

Drone registration in Nigeria is done through the NCAA's online drone portal, launched in May 2026. When it launched the portal, the NCAA said that registration and identification are compulsory for recreational as well as commercial operators. The steps are:

1. Obtain an end-user certificate from ONSA for the drone. For an imported drone, this should be done before the drone is shipped.
2. Create an account on the NCAA drone portal and enter the drone's details, such as its make, model, serial number and weight.
3. Upload the supporting documents, including proof of ownership, the end-user certificate and, for a company, its incorporation documents.
4. Pay the registration fee.
5. Complete the security screening if it has not already been done.
6. Receive the registration and mark the drone with its registration number.

Only Nigerian citizens, permanent residents, companies incorporated in Nigeria and government bodies can register a drone. A foreign company that wants to fly drones in Nigeria usually does so through a Nigerian subsidiary or a licensed local operator, or obtains a specific NCAA authorisation for a foreign-registered drone. A drone's registration cannot be transferred, so a new owner must register it again.

Registration alone does not allow a drone to be flown for business. Commercial operators also need an RPAS Operator Certificate.

RPAS Operator Certificate: licensing a drone business

Any flight carried out for payment or hire is a commercial operation. A company that offers drone services, such as aerial survey, mapping, inspection, photography or delivery, needs an RPAS Operator Certificate (ROC) from the NCAA. The NCAA must refuse an ROC to an applicant that does not have ONSA security clearance.

The NCAA certifies operators in five phases:

1. Pre-application: a meeting with the NCAA to explain the proposed operations.
2. Formal application: the application, with the company's documents, the drones to be used and the proposed key personnel.
3. Document evaluation: the NCAA reviews the operations manual, safety management system, security programme, maintenance arrangements and insurance.
4. Demonstration and inspection: the operator shows that it can carry out the proposed operations safely.
5. Certification: the NCAA issues the ROC and operations specifications, which set out the operations allowed and their limits.

The NCAA's guidance asks applicants to apply at least 90 days before they plan to start operating. Operators must also carry third-party liability insurance for their commercial operations and file proof with the NCAA.

Remote pilot licence

Pilots flying drones commercially must be licensed and trained to the standard the NCAA requires. Under the regulations, a remote pilot licence applicant must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid medical certificate, and pass a knowledge test and a skill test. Additional training is needed for night flying and other specialised operations.

Rules for flying a drone in Nigeria

Unless the NCAA has authorised otherwise, drone pilots must:

• keep the drone within visual line of sight at all times
• fly no higher than 400 feet (120 metres) above the ground
• fly only in daylight and in good weather
• keep away from people who are not involved in the operation, and never fly over crowds
• keep away from airports, and obtain air traffic control approval to fly near a controlled aerodrome
• avoid restricted and prohibited areas, such as military bases, government buildings, prisons, oil and gas installations and other security-sensitive sites
• respect privacy, and not film people or private property without consent
• report incidents to the NCAA promptly, with serious accidents also reported to the NSIB

Flights beyond visual line of sight, at night or above 400 feet need specific NCAA authorisation, which is granted after a risk assessment and coordination with air traffic services.

Flying a drone for recreation

People flying drones for fun are not subject to all of Part 21's commercial requirements, but they are not exempt from the law. They still need an end-user certificate to import a drone, must register through the NCAA portal, and must follow the flying rules above, including keeping well away from airports and security sites. Taking photographs of restricted places can also be an offence under the Official Secrets Act.

Importing drones into Nigeria

Drones are controlled imports. The Nigeria Customs Service will not clear a drone without an end-user certificate from ONSA, and it has seized and forfeited drones brought in without one, including drones carried in passengers' luggage. Before importing, an importer should:

• obtain the end-user certificate for the drones being imported, usually supported by an application letter, company documents, the directors' identification, a proforma invoice and a tax clearance certificate
• confirm that the radio equipment in the drones is approved for use in Nigeria
• pay the applicable customs duties and levies
• for drones to be used commercially, plan the NCAA registration and operator certification

How to set up a drone manufacturing company in Nigeria

Nigeria wants to build drones locally, and both the government and DICON have entered partnerships for the local production of drones. A private drone manufacturing company must still satisfy several regulators. The steps below apply to companies building or assembling civil drones, with the extra rules for military and security drones explained at the end.

Step 1: Decide what you will build

The approvals depend on the product. A company assembling small camera drones from imported parts faces different requirements from one designing heavy agricultural or cargo drones, and very different requirements from one building drones for the military or security agencies. The intended customers, the weight and capability of the drones, and whether they will be exported all affect the approvals needed.

Step 2: Incorporate a Nigerian company

The manufacturer should be a company incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Most manufacturing businesses can be wholly foreign-owned. A foreign-owned company must also register with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and foreign investors should import their capital through a bank to receive a Certificate of Capital Importation. Our guide on how to register a foreign-owned company in Nigeria explains the process, and expatriate staff will need a business permit and expatriate quota.

Step 3: Obtain ONSA clearance

A drone manufacturer will import drone parts, test drones and sell them to customers, all of which involve controlled items. The company and its directors should obtain ONSA security clearance early, and end-user certificates will be needed for imported drones and controlled components. Selling drones locally also means the manufacturer's customers will need their own end-user certificates and NCAA registration.

Step 4: Engage the NCAA

Every drone flown in Nigeria, including during development and testing, must be registered and flown in line with Part 21. Manufacturers should engage the NCAA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Unit early to agree:

• how prototypes and production drones will be registered and test-flown
• where test flights will take place, which may require segregated airspace or a notice to airmen through NAMA
• the design and production standards the NCAA expects
• for heavier or higher-risk drones, the path to type certification

The NCAA has said that no drone has yet been type certified in Nigeria and that it is developing certification standards. A manufacturer that plans to sell drones for certified-category operations should expect to work closely with the NCAA as these standards are written.

Step 5: Get radio equipment approved by the NCC

Drones use radio links for control, video and telemetry. Radio equipment used in Nigeria must be type approved by the NCC, and drones must operate only on frequencies the NCC allows. Manufacturers should obtain type approval for each model before it is sold.

Step 6: Set up the factory

The factory needs land with a clear title and the correct zoning, building approvals from the state, and registration under the Factories Act with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. Depending on the size and processes of the plant, environmental approvals may also be required. Manufacturers should also check the product standards and certification requirements of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Step 7: Protect technology and intellectual property

Drone makers rely on their designs, software and know-how. Manufacturers should protect inventions with patents and protect their brand with trade marks. Agreements with foreign partners for licensing, technical assistance or the use of foreign technology must be registered with the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) before royalties and fees can be paid abroad through the official foreign exchange market.

Step 8: Plan for data protection and cybersecurity

Drones collect images, location data and other information. Manufacturers that provide software, cloud services or data analytics with their drones must comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and should design their products so that customers can use them lawfully.

Step 9: Explore incentives

Manufacturers may be eligible for investment incentives, such as tax incentives for priority sectors, export incentives and import duty concessions on machinery. The NIPC can advise on the incentives currently available.

Military and security drones

The manufacture of military equipment is not open to everyone. Under the DICON Act 2023, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria both produces military equipment and regulates its production, and private companies, including foreign investors, take part through licences and partnerships with DICON. A company planning to build drones for the armed forces or security agencies should engage DICON, the Ministry of Defence and ONSA from the outset, and should expect strict controls on its ownership, security, technology and exports.

Penalties for breaking drone regulations in Nigeria

Breaking drone regulations in Nigeria carries serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 2022, the NCAA can impose fines, detain or seize drones and close down operations, and some offences, such as reckless flying, carry imprisonment. Drones imported without an end-user certificate can be seized and forfeited. Filming security-sensitive sites can lead to prosecution under the Official Secrets Act, and misusing personal data can lead to fines under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. The NCAA has warned that ignorance of the rules will not be accepted as an excuse.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to fly a drone in Nigeria?

To fly a drone for business, the operator needs an RPAS Operator Certificate from the NCAA, the drone must be registered, and the pilot must be licensed. Recreational flyers do not need an operator certificate, but they still need an end-user certificate and NCAA registration and must follow the flying rules.

How do I register a drone in Nigeria?

Obtain an end-user certificate from ONSA, then register the drone on the NCAA's drone portal with proof of ownership and the certificate, and pay the fee.

How long does drone registration take?

It depends mostly on the ONSA security screening, which has no fixed timeline. Applicants should allow several weeks for the end-user certificate and registration, and longer for an RPAS Operator Certificate.

Can I bring a drone into Nigeria as a tourist or for a film shoot?

Only with prior approval. Drones in luggage without an end-user certificate are regularly seized at airports. Foreign film crews and visitors should obtain ONSA and NCAA approval before travelling.

Can a foreigner set up a drone company in Nigeria?

Yes. A foreign investor can set up a Nigerian company to operate or manufacture civil drones, subject to NIPC registration, ONSA security clearance and the NCAA's requirements. Military drone manufacturing involves DICON and is more restricted.

Where can drones not be flown in Nigeria?

Drones must not be flown near airports without approval, over crowds, or over military bases, government buildings, prisons, oil and gas installations and other security-sensitive sites.

How our drone lawyers can help

Our drone lawyers in Nigeria obtain ONSA end-user certificates and security clearance, register drones with the NCAA, guide operators through the RPAS Operator Certificate process, and advise investors on how to set up a drone manufacturing company in Nigeria. We also help with company registration, NIPC registration and NCC approvals. Find out more about our regulatory compliance lawyers, or read more aviation and drone regulation guides.

To discuss your drone project, contact us.